Mesothelioma Asbestos Lung Cancer
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissue lining the chest cavity and lungs, and in rare cases, the abdomen's lining and the heart. Exposure to asbestos is the primary reason for mesothelioma.
Asbestos fibers can become stuck in tissues, causing DNA damage. This causes cells to transform into mesothelioma cancer cells.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer, affects tissues that connect and protect organs in the body. Exposure to asbestos fibers may cause these cells to undergo a change and develop into mesothelioma tumors. The majority of cases of mesothelioma are found in the lungs (pleura). It can also develop in the tissues of the heart, abdomen and testicles.
Chest discomfort and coughing are the most frequent symptoms of mesothelioma. In addition patients may experience abdominal pain, weight loss and fatigue. These symptoms are similar to many other ailments and are difficult to identify, particularly in the beginning stages of mesothelioma. It could take years or even decades after exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma symptoms to show up.
The first step in identifying mesothelioma is an examination and a medical history. A doctor can request blood tests and imaging scans to determine the severity of the symptoms. Arvada asbestos lawsuit include CT (computer-tomography) scans as well as MRI and PET scans (positron emission Tomography).
X-rays can show an unusual mass or fluid in the lung. These scans help the doctor determine the nature and location of the mesothelioma. The two main types of mesothelioma are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. About 70% of mesothelioma cases are epithelioid. Sarcomatoid Mesothelioma has a worse prognosis and is less prevalent than epithelioid.
The majority of people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma suffer from a nonproductive cough, chest wall pain, and difficulty breathing. In certain cases, people with pleural mesothelioma could have an abnormal heart murmur, which is known as pericardial effusion or swelling of the scrotum (tunica vaginalis).
The most accurate way to determine if mesothelioma has been diagnosed is to take a tissue sample, or biopsy, for testing. The type of mesothelioma also determines the method used by a doctor to treat the condition. For instance in the case of mesothelioma pericardial the doctor could drain excess fluid with a procedure called pleurodesis or insert an indwelling pleural catheter to decrease inflammation and improve breathing. Other treatments include chemotherapy and surgery.
Diagnosis
The cancerous mesothelioma is found in the organ's linings. The disease is most common in the lungs, however it can also manifest in the abdomen (peritoneum), or around the testes.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can be seen between 10 and fifty years after the first exposure. Because of this latency time, many patients can be incorrectly diagnosed. The illness is often misdiagnosed as other conditions that are less serious such as pneumonia or the flu. This mistake can lead to delays in treatment, which can lower a patient's chances of surviving.
Those who suspect that they might have mesothelioma should see their doctor immediately. During the initial visit, doctors examine a patient's medical history to identify any symptoms or factors that increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. This includes asbestos exposure in the past, as well the nature and duration of the exposure.
The next step is to have doctors order imaging tests to check the chest and abdomen for any signs of mesothelioma or other abnormalities. Chest X rays, CT scans and MRIs are all able to reveal changes in the lungs, like an increase in pleural thickness or accumulation of fluid. They can also show if mesothelioma has spread to other areas of the body.
A doctor may also request an analysis of blood to determine if the patient has high levels of certain chemicals that are linked to mesothelioma. They can also perform an operation called a thoracentesis which involves taking out the lungs of fluid and examining the lungs for cancerous cells.
If a mesothelioma is confirmed the biopsy procedure is carried out to examine a small portion of the tumor for cancerous cells. This can be accomplished using VATS (video-assisted surgery using thoracoscopic instruments) or through a needle guided by a CT scan. The results will aid in determining which mesothelioma treatment options are the most effective for the patient. This can include chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy. Certain patients may choose to participate in immunotherapy. This newer form of mesothelioma treatment can boost the quality of life for patients and improve their outlook.
Treatment
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the tissues which line and protect organs, such as the lungs, stomach (peritoneal) or heart or testicles. Although mesothelioma cannot be cured but treatment can help manage symptoms.
Your doctor will ask about your medical history and look for signs of mesothelioma. Your doctor will also ask about your asbestos exposure because this is the number one risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can cause asbestos fibres to be stuck in the linings of the chest cavity (mesothelium) stomach, chest cavity or the heart. This causes inflammation over time and can transform normal cells into cancerous ones. Blood tests and imaging tests are used to identify mesothelioma.
Your healthcare provider will employ a chest X-ray to see changes in your lung tissue, and determine if you suffer from an accumulation of fluid (pleural effusion). The doctor will recommend MRI, CT scan or FDG-positron emission tomography (PET) to get detailed images of the affected area. They will also conduct an incision using a needle to collect a sample from the affected tissue.
A pathologist, or mesothelioma expert, will examine the tissue with a magnifying lens to detect cancerous cells and determine their kind. To make the diagnosis the doctor will stain the tissue sample using a dye which shows up when certain types of protein are present. The doctor will then use techniques to magnify the tissue.
Mesothelioma is often difficult to recognize because mesothelioma cells appear similar to other kinds of cell in the body. Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis of mesothelioma by other tests. This includes a blood test to determine the levels of fibulin-3 and mesothelin-related, soluble peptide.
Your healthcare team will decide on mesothelioma treatments based on the kind of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery are the most commonly used treatments for mesothelioma. If your mesothelioma has reached an advanced stages you could also receive palliative treatment to relieve discomfort and other symptoms.
Prognosis
The prognosis for mesothelioma depends on the type and stage of cancer, in addition to other factors, such as the patient's age as well as general health. Patients should work with experienced doctors to learn more about their treatment options.
Mesothelioma develops when asbestos fibers damage the tissues that line and protect vital organs. The asbestos fibers are breathed in or eaten, and they can cause genetic changes and inflammation that can transform normal cells into mesothelioma tumors. The most prevalent mesothelioma types are pleural mesothelioma that is a form of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs and the chest cavity (pleura) and mesothelioma of the peritoneal region, a rarer form that arises in the protective lining of the abdomen.
Mesothelioma is diagnosed by symptoms, lab tests, and X-rays. They may also recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue to be tested. The doctors can then compare the biopsy samples against an online database to determine the most likely mesothelioma type. This information will help them predict the mesothelioma-related life expectancy of a patient and treatment plan.
Mesothelioma cells are classified into three categories: epithelioid epithelial, biphasic and sarcomatoid. Each mesothelioma kind develops at different rates and responds to treatment differently. Epithelioid mesothelioma accounts for 60% to 80% of cases and has a higher survival rate than sarcomatoid and biphasic mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can be diagnosed up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Many patients don't receive a diagnosis of mesothelioma until they show severe symptoms. Asbestos exposure should be disclosed to a doctor and patients should be checked regularly.
In these visits, doctors will check for signs of exposure to asbestos like scarring around the lungs or other respiratory problems. They may also conduct a simple blood test to check the health of a patient's general. If the results indicate that the patient is at a the highest risk of developing mesothelioma they can arrange for additional tests to get an estimate of the prognosis. This could include imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans and ultrasound and lung function tests and a chest MRI or PET scan.